Australian rookie Jack Doohan, who’s been portrayed as Formula One’s most at-risk driver, has offered a defiant response to suggestions he’s just keeping the Alpine seat warm for star new recruit Franco Colapinto.
F1’s launch day at London’s O2 arena on Tuesday may have been an uncomfortable one for the 22-year-old Doohan, who managed to keep smiling amid media questioning about his and Colapinto’s positions within the Renault-owned French team.
Doohan, son of MotoGP great Mick Doohan, was adamant he did not feel undermined by the arrival of Colapinto, a rising star who’s signed for Alpine as a reserve driver on a long-term contract.
The boys are in town… Launch szn is here 🤘🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/Z0B4Ba2Jx0— BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 18, 2025
Aussie Jack Doohan and Pierre Gasly jave launched Alpine’s 2025 season in London.
Doohan will start his first full campaign at his home grand prix in Melbourne next month, after making his debut in Abu Dhabi at the end of last season, but there has been widespread speculation that 21-year-old Argentine Colapinto, who scored five points for Williams last year, will quickly replace him if he doesn’t deliver.
Asked if Colapinto’s deal put added pressure on him, Doohan responded pointedly in a pre-launch media session: “No. I’ve been told he’s a reserve driver.
“And I think, regardless, you’re one of 20 Formula 1 drivers in the world. I know when I was a go-karter and in Formula 3, Formula 2 – I would do anything to be in Formula 1 and sacrifice everything.
“I don’t think necessarily, if it’s someone inside the team, outside the team, anyone that’s performing well, you’re always going to have pressure on your shoulders because you’re in such a cut-throat sport.
“But whatever pressure there may be, I look forward to enjoying that – embracing it and just enjoying my Formula 1 season.”
After a subsequent question about whether he felt undermined by Colapinto’s arrival, Doohan asked: “Is that a question?
“I was a 21-year-old reserve driver last year, with a long-term contract. No, I don’t (feel undermined). Maybe I should, I don’t know.
“I didn’t really understand that as a question. But definitely not.”
When a third question was aimed at him about rumours he might have only five or six races to impress enough to keep Colapinto from replacing him, a team press officer shut down any further interrogation.
Elsewhere, though, Doohan’s senior teammate Pierre Gasly was supportive of his young Aussie colleague, telling French reporters: “I know Jack and I want him to do the best he can”.
“He’s a great person and a great driver; I’ve seen him develop and we’ve given him his chance. I won’t comment any further. As a rookie, it’s never easy to get into F1, and there’s no need to make things more complicated than they need to be.”
The Colapinto rumours won’t go away, though. After Doohan’s news conference, Alpine announced the signing of a new Argentine sponsor Mercado Libre, who will doubtless be following their man’s progress closely.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/motorsport/doohan-i-dont-feel-undermined-by-colapinto-arrival-c-17771053
